After graduating from Fresno Pacific College, Adams became an
assistant coach for the basketball team in 1969. Following a 7–20
season in 1971–72, Adams was promoted to be head coach. Fresno
Pacific went 19–7 in 1973–74, Adams's second season as head coach.
While head coach at Fresno Pacific, Adams completed a master's degree
in physical education at
California State University, FresnoCalifornia State University, Fresno in 1974.

In 1975, Adams became assistant coach at United States International
University . Then from 1976 to 1978, Adams was assistant coach at UC
Santa Barbara . He moved up to the professional level, as head coach
for Belgian team Sunair Ostende in the 1978–79 season.

From 1980 to 1986, Adams was an assistant coach at Fresno State under
Boyd "Tiny" Grant. During this time, Fresno State won the PCAA
Tournaments of 1981, 1982, and 1984. Adams took over as head coach
after Grant resigned following the 1985–86 season. Adams's best
season at Fresno State was a 15–14 season in 1988–89; in four
seasons, Adams went 43–72.

Adams is considered one of the top defensive coaches. He was
inducted into the Fresno County Athletic Hall of Fame , for coaching
basketball, in 2016.

The Warriors finished the regular season
2016-17 NBA season with 67
wins and first place in the Western Conference. Adams won his second
championship in three years after the Warriors defeated the Cleveland
Cavaliers in five games of the
2017 NBA Finals .